Abstract:
Background: Humans maintain constant body temperature within a wide range of changes in external
environment. Core body temperature is maintained within narrow range; Enzyme systems in the body have narrow
temperature ranges in which they function optimally for caring out different activities in the body as metabolism,
conduction of nervous function and skeletal muscle contraction. Perioperative hypothermia is one of the major
problems during surgery that can affect operated patients. It has been shown by different researchers that
Perioperative hypothermia will result in to various adverse events such as myocardial ischemia, coagulopathy,
delayed awakening and wound infections.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine incidence of perioperative hypothermia and determinant
factors among patients operated in Gondar university hospital from March to April, 2015.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted to determine incidence of perioperative hypothermia
and associated risk factors among patients that underwent surgery in Gondar university hospital. All consecutive
patients from both elective and emergency surgery were included in this study.
Result: A total of 312 patients were participated in this study. The incidence of Pre, Intra and post-operative
hypothermia were 23.4%, 49.7% and 50.6% respectively. Use of general anesthesia (AOR=2.3), co-morbidity
(AOR=2.1), low body temperature before the start of anesthesia (AOR=4.7) and elective procedures (AOR=2.1)
were found to be independent predictors of intra-operative hypothermia.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The incidence of perioperative hypothermia is high in Gondar University
Hospital. Passive and active warming techniques should be implemented in the hospital
